Silko (Sudanese king)

Silko
Nubian King of Nobatia
Graffito from the Temple of Kalabsha (Talmis), depicting king Silko on horse back spearing an Blemmyan enemy to death
Reignc. C.E.450
PredecessorCharamadoye
SuccessorAburni
Bornc. CE 5th century
Faras
Diedc. CE 5th century
ReligionCoptic Orthodox Christianity

Silko (Ancient Greek: Σιλκω) was ruler of the Nubian kingdom of Nobatia, who have united the Kingdom of Nobatia and have been the first Nubian king to adopt Christianity.[1]

During Silko's reign Nobatia successfully defeated the Blemmyes to the North, and an inscription by Silko at the Temple of Kalabsha claims to have driven the Blemmyes into the Eastern Desert.[2][3][4] The inscription on the temple was made in Greek suggesting that he was influenced by Byzantine culture.[5] He established Pakhoras (modern Faras) as the Capital of the Kingdom. Nobatia officially converted to Coptic Orthodox Christianity under his reign.[6][7][8]

References

  1. Hägg T. (2002) ‘Silko’s Language: a Retrospect’ In Tamás A.Bács (Ed.) A Tribute to Excellence-Studia Aegyptiaca XVII, Budapest, 289-300
  2. "Silko Inscription". homepage.univie.ac.at.
  3. Obluski A. The Rise of Nobadia. Social Changes in Northern Nubia in Late Antiquity p28-30 https://www.academia.edu/462120/The_Rise_of_Nobadia_Social_Changes_in_Northern_Nubia_in_Late_Antiquity
  4. Hägg T. (2002) ‘Silko’s Language: a Retrospect’ In Tamás A.Bács (Ed.) A Tribute to Excellence-Studia Aegyptiaca XVII, Budapest, 289-300
  5. Burstein S. (1995) Greaco-Africana: Studies in the History of Greek Relations with Egypt and Nubia, Aristide D p221 Caratzas Publisher, New Rochelle, Athens &Moscow
  6. Oakes, p.209
  7. Hobson, p.185
  8. "Der Antike Sudan" (PDF). www.sag-online.de. 2018. Retrieved 2020-12-10.